Accusations of nepotism: State Parliament of Saxony-Anhalt desires to ban cross-jobs | EUROtoday

In Saxony-Anhalt, a number of state parliamentary teams have agreed to vary the parliamentary legislation and thus curb nepotism. Specifically, so-called cross-employment ought to be prevented, i.e. MPs using members of the family of different MPs.

The AfD particularly is at present confronted with accusations of nepotism inside its personal ranks. More and extra circumstances have gotten recognized nationwide by which members of the family of AfD politicians have been employed by different AfD MPs. Several circumstances from Saxony-Anhalt precipitated a stir.

First dialogue in parliament subsequent week

In Saxony-Anhalt, staff of members of parliament will in future need to state whether or not they’re associated to a member of the state parliament or associated by marriage, as representatives of the black-red-yellow coalition confirmed. The draft legislation might be mentioned within the state parliament for the primary time subsequent week, because the parliamentary supervisor of the FDP parliamentary group, Guido Kosmehl, mentioned upon request.

“So far it has been impossible to employ close relatives in your own parliamentary office. The AfD has massively avoided this,” mentioned the parliamentary managing director of the SPD parliamentary group, Falko Grube. “We will rule out this in the future. Relatives of other members of the state parliament will then no longer be able to be employed.”

Will the variety of staff even be restricted?

There is at present nonetheless a debate about whether or not the variety of staff per MP must also be restricted. There are completely different positions on this among the many parliamentary teams.

It was lately introduced that the AfD employs considerably extra individuals than different factions. In December, the 23 AfD members of the Magdeburg state parliament employed 162 individuals – that is a median of seven per politician. According to the state parliament administration, the 40 CDU MPs had 125 staff – a median of three every.

Further adjustments deliberate

A brand new state parliament might be elected in Saxony-Anhalt on September sixth. To make sure that the primary assembly after the election runs easily, additional guidelines are to be modified as a part of a parliamentary reform, for instance concerning the election of the state parliament president. In precept, the strongest faction ought to nonetheless have the ability to suggest a candidate for the workplace.

However, if this candidate doesn’t obtain a majority, the opposite parliamentary teams must also have the ability to suggest candidates. The change is meant to make sure that Parliament all the time elects a presidium and that the state parliament is ready to operate, since solely a president can name conferences.